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Commission hears updates on Farmer in Jail study, Smith Brothers property, Jackson Line and park refresh
Summary
Members received status reports on multiple projects: a feasibility study for the Farmer in Jail site that showed higher-than-expected estimates, a Phase I on Smith Brothers property underway, a holding pattern on the Jackson Line quick-claim deed, and discussion of a park refresh and possible redevelopment funding.
Columbia City — At its March 11 meeting the Columbia City Redevelopment Commission received progress reports on several ongoing projects: a feasibility study for the site referred to as the Farmer in Jail; a Phase I environmental/ownership review for the Smith Brothers property; the Jackson Line quick-claim deed, which remains in a holding pattern; and a suggestion to refresh a small park that has been maintained by volunteers for the prior decade.
A feasibility report for the Farmer in Jail site arrived only minutes before the meeting, and commissioners said they had not yet fully reviewed it. One commissioner said the estimate in the study was substantially higher than prior expectations and that staff would double-check the figures before presenting a fuller analysis at a future meeting; exact cost figures were not provided in the meeting.
On the Smith Brothers property, commissioners said a Phase I assessment is in process. Meeting notes indicate there are at least two different owners tied to the tract, which will require both parties be involved in any legal or redevelopment steps. A contractor or consultant named Zinn (recorded in meeting notes as photographing the property) visited the site and reported interior conditions including many small rooms and stored items; the Phase I work continues.
The Jackson Line quick-claim deed remains under county review and the commission described the item as in a holding pattern pending follow-up with a county contact (referred to in the meeting as Mr. Bushey). There was no formal action taken on Jackson Line at the meeting.
Commissioners also discussed a small park (referred to in meeting notes and local conversation as Oakley Alley) whose volunteer caretakers indicated they no longer wished to maintain the site after about 10 years. Commissioners asked staff to obtain an estimate for a refresh — to be performed by an outside contractor to avoid adding ongoing maintenance to city staff — and suggested redevelopment funds might be used for a one-time refresh; staff were asked to place the item on the next meeting agenda with cost information.
No formal votes were recorded on these updates; commissioners asked for follow-up information and planned to return these items to future agendas for action as needed.
